Teaser Reviews: Where She Went, Divergent and Invincible Summer

There's some books that I get that I cannot wait to read... even if it's well before the book is release. I hold my reviews until closer to release time, but every now and then, frankly, I just want to talk about them. I want to tell you guys about them. Make you as excited for them as I was. I'm still holding my reviews, but today, I'm bringing you guys three mini reviews, that are admittedly gushier than my normal ones. But if you weren't sure about these books, hopefully this will change your mind because I completely love them all. And while I realize it's only February, these three are without a doubt going to remain in my top ten, probably even top five, books of 2011.


Where She Went by Gayle Forman: I completely loved If I Stay, and this one does not disappoint. Adam has such depth… such emotion… such intensity. He tore my heart out, twisted my insides… Gayle Forman made me feel every single thing that Adam did. Reading this book, I felt like I had been without the love of my life for three years. I felt like my life was out of control. The way the world viewed him in this book, and the truth about him, was so staggering and so realistic, and so gorgeously handled. Words almost cannot describe the amount of love I have for this book, and yes, I think I love it even more than I do If I Stay, though that probably has a lot to do with the male POV. Those entire three years that have passed are chronicled, mixed into the story happening right then so seamlessly. And I will admit. There were tears in my eyes at one or two scenes.


Divergent by Veronica Roth: This book is amazing on basically every possible level. From premise to execution, characters to emotion, Veronica Roth does it all. Yes, it’s a big fat book. But who cares. You will be devouring it in one sitting, pulling away only if you absolutely have to. The worldbuilding is phenomenal, and starts right from the beginning to really develop and describe the entire picture of this Chicago. The reasons for it, the way it plays out, the way things go wrong… it’s all in there. It's hardly predictable. It's a great mix of action and plot development. And what makes it even better is the writing. It’s not overly descriptive and flowery. Yes, you know exactly what is going on and where and with who and even what they are wearing, but it isn’t bogging you down. Roth’s word economy is something a lot of authors can learn from. Basically, this book is frickin awesome and even if you’re not in to dystopian, this is one that will change your mind. Also, Four is just awesome. He’s quiet and intense and mysterious and basically everything I want in a love interest, while still being badass. And if you want a kickbutt, face all protag, this is it.


Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz: Boy book! Okay that aside, Hannah Moskowitz seriously knows how to nail the sibling relationships. She makes it so clear that you aren’t going to have the exact same relationship with each of your siblings… and that’s okay. And what I love even more about this book is that it spans over four summers, so not only do I get to see Chase grow as any character would, but it’s also four years of his life passing… and yes, she nails that too. His mindset changes, each summer… but still stays HIM. And oh my god the events of this one. Heartbreaking, intricate, several subplots… all beautiful. All with clear purpose. There is so much in a kinda short book. I cried. No, bawled. Snotty nosed, puffy eyes, bawled. And I don’t cry easily, at all. Noah is my favorite character… so fantastically developed and portrayed, so flawed but still with such promise… and the way Chase interacted with him, viewed him… the way it all played out and changed. Add in Melinda, someone you will both sympathize with and hate… Just. Wow. This one is just breathtaking. Yeah, it hits on some hard stuff. Yeah, it might make you uncomfortable. But read it. It is worth it. I spent DAYS thinking about this one because it got in my head just. That. Much.

Book Review: The Locket by Stacey Jay

SUMMARY:

On her seventeenth birthday, Katie discovers a locket and decides to wear it for good luck. But when her boyfriend Isaac finds out she cheated on him— with their mutual best friend Mitch, no less—he dumps her, leaving her devastated.

And then a miracle happens. The locket burns on Katie's chest and she feels herself going back two weeks in time, to the night she cheated with Mitch. At first, Kate is delighted to be a better girlfriend to Isaac this time around. But as other aspects of her life become inexplicably altered, she realizes that changing the past may have had a dangerous effect on her present.

Can she make things right before the locket destroys everything—and everyone—she loves?


OPINION: 4 STARS

The Short Version:
Entertaining and interesting, The Locket does a fantastic job taking the Butterfly Effect concept and twisting it into something new and in a teenage setting. Centered around a mistake that any reader can understand and want to change, and spiraling out of control in my unpredictable ways, The Locket puts a supernatural spin on an otherwise great contemporary book. This is one that will make the reader think and brings up plenty of questions, while still having a light element to it.

The Extended Version:
Katie is admittedly a hard character for me to like in some ways. Her devotion to Isaac is almost too intense and extreme for me, to the point of self destruction. Despite this, her loyalty to him is admirable and she is a character with a huge heart that not only wants to please people, but also doesn't want the drama that comes with the popular crowd. Content with a small group of friends, she is someone relatable. Her personal growth is tremendous, and the changes in her as things continue to get worse within the story are very well done.

Isaac is selfish, to be blunt. Far too into himself to be considered a good boyfriend, he hits on some of the stereotypical jock behaviors while still being someone different. Basketball is his life, and it's understandable but heartbreaking to see Katie's perspective on knowing she's often second to a sport. There are plenty of scenes where Isaac is almost deplorable, and while it's clear that's his personality and the reasons Jay wrote him like that, I found it very hard to like him both as a love interest and a character. This is what reflected back on Katie to make it hard to like her, centered only around the fact that the entire book happened because she was so desperate to keep him.

Mitch, however, is an almost polar opposite in a lot of ways to Isaac and easily won my heart. He is kind, funny, and gentle with Katie in ways Isaac isn't. The chemistry between Mitch and Katie is strikingly different than with Isaac, and the way Katie struggled with this, after being with Isaac for three years, was something any reader can relate to and understand. Mitch had some very poignant scenes, but most endearing about him was his near constant sense of humor, even as he had to watch Katie continue to be in love with a boy who didn't appreciate her.

The plot launches right into going back in time, opening on the day Isaac breaks up with Katie and instigates the entire thing. She keeps her memories of before she went back in time, making an interesting mix and changing her reactions. The ways things changed the second time around is very well thought out, from the smallest thing to the biggest, and Jay has done a fantastic job adding in all these changes without taking away from the actual plot progression. The ways the locket reacts to things also adds to the overall air of the book, and Jay does a remarkable job pulling the reader right in to Katie's story and dragging them along for the wild ride.

Adding to the greatness of this book is the way Katie's thoughts even towards Isaac changed as the story progressed. Tension was rampant, and though her decisions might not have been the best at times, Jay does a beautiful job keeping the teenage element in there both in experiences and hopes. The writing hits plenty on description without taking away from everything, and the emotion within it, for the most part, is well done. From sweet and tender scenes to angry fights, Jay handles a range fluidly.

Though this isn't an original premise, and some aspects of the book were predictable, Jay has still twisted this into something all her own. Even through Katie's perspective, a multitude of questions is brought up within the story regarding the time travel and changing things, and it was refreshing to see this concept through a teenage mindset in the midst of struggling through everything. Everything is wrapped up by the end of the book, even the smallest of things, without the final ending coming off as a cop out.

Details:
Source: ARC received from publisher in exchange for honest review
Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Razorbill
Publication Date: February 3, 2011

Author Interview: Stacey Jay

Taking over my little bloggy blog today is The Locket author Stacey Jay, to talk about her lovely book. If you were given the chance to go back in time to fix a mistake, would you? Even if there were consequences? Consider that, while you check out my interview!


If you had a locket that could take you back in time to repeat one thing, what would it be?

That's such a hard question because I love my life and I know any do-overs might change the course of history and I wouldn't end up with my wonderful husband and two kick ass kids. So...no matter how much I'd love to know what my life would have been like if I'd used my college scholarships to get a more practical degree, I think I'm going to have to pass on the time travel, thank you :).

Describe Kate, Mitch and Isaac in 3 words each.

Katie: Loyal. Loving. Shy. Mitch: Funny. Talented. Devoted. Isaac: Passionate. Wild. Good-hearted.

If you could pair Katie, Isaac and Mitch with any characters from any book, who would your picks for them be?

It's hard to answer that without giving plot twists away, but I will say that I think Katie's best friend, Sarah, would be a great fit for the boy Katie says good-bye to. (Whichever one that is....)

What is the most private thing you're willing to share here?

I believe in ghosts.

What kind of tree would you describe yourself as?

I don't have much in common with trees. I can't sit still long enough to grow a root system, let alone decide what's going to pop up through the earth. Can I be a cloud instead? A whispy pink and red sunset cloud?

Thanks for having me to the blog!


Thank you, Stacey, for those answers, and hey, if you want to be a cloud then go for it. Make sure you guys check out The Locket and find out what happens when Katie tries to time travel, and if she can really right her mistake.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine.

This week's pick is Gae Polisner's debut The Pull of Gravity, coming May 10 from Farrer, Straus and Giroux.

Summary:

While Nick Gardner’s family is falling apart, his best friend, Scooter, is dying from a freak disease. The Scoot’s final wish is that Nick and their quirky classmate, Jaycee Amato, deliver a prized first-edition copy of Of Mice and Men to the Scoot’s father. There’s just one problem: the Scoot’s father walked out years ago and hasn’t been heard from since. So, guided by Steinbeck’s life lessons, and with only the vaguest of plans, Nick and Jaycee set off to find him.

Characters you’ll want to become friends with and a narrative voice that sparkles with wit make this a truly original coming-of-age story.


My Thoughts: Male POV contemp? Yes please. I love the challenge that is presented with this one, even in the premise. It's so clear this is a character that is going to be tested and pushed, and I like the hint of romance and the loyalty of the friendship. The literary tie in sounds like it could also add something very intriguing while still keeping a YA element overall, and this one just sounds like a good mix of fun and emotional. I think the cover is great. It's very catchy as a male book while still being something female readers would notice.

Book Review: So Shelly by Ty Roth

SUMMARY:

Until now, high school junior, John Keats, has only tiptoed near the edges of the vortex that is schoolmate and literary prodigy, Gordon Byron. That is, until their mutual friend, Shelly, drowns in a sailing accident.

After stealing Shelly's ashes from her wake at Trinity Catholic High School, the boys set a course for the small Lake Erie island where Shelly's body had washed ashore and to where she wished to be returned. It would be one last "so Shelly" romantic quest. At least that's what they think. As they navigate around the obstacles and resist temptations during their odyssey, Keats and Gordon glue together the shattered pieces of Shelly's and their own pasts while attempting to make sense of her tragic and premature end.


OPINION: 5 STARS

The Short Version:
Sordid and dark, So Shelly does a remarkable job of twisting the lives of three well known Romantic poets into modern day teenagers. With elegant writing and a flow that hints at the style of the poets, this book centers around the lives of the three characters, giving both backstory and bringing things to the present. Though admittedly mature in content, Roth truly blends the past and the present in his own memorable way.

The Extended Version:
Keats is the narrator of this story, which creates an interesting disconnect. The lives of Gordon and Shelly are told in full, but much of that wasn't witnessed first hand by him. Though this could cause readers to have a hard time connecting to the characters, I found it to actually forge a strong bond to him specifically, as he often is watching from the sidelines and experiencing things from a distance. There are plenty of aspects of Keats' character that are true to the poet he is emboldening, but Roth still twists him into something realistic as well. He comes from a very different background and lifestyle than either Gordon or Shelly, and his overall role in everything still has just as strong an impact despite the outsider notion.

Shelly is fragile in a lot of ways, obsessed with Gordon to the point of destruction, and quirky in ways that set her on the outside. It is easy to read about her and imagine it being real in the present, and the way people react to her is just as believable. She's one of those people who simply cannot shake their melancholy for any length of time, always drifting back into it for one reason or another. The way Keats views her comes through in subtle ways, and his affection towards her is almost heartbreaking, particularly in light of how much she loves Gordon.

Gordon Byron is arrogant and selfish, unable to do hardly anything without thinking of how it would benefit him. Sex crazed and almost insatiable in his sexual appetite, much of the lurid nature of this book comes from his character. He is a very hard character to like, and yet so much of what led to how he is in the present is shown that it is understandable, even if hard to stomach. Though Roth has built on what is known about Lord Byron, the way similar childhood events can impact someone even now comes through very strongly, which does add a sympathetic component to an otherwise gruff character.

The plot centers around Gordon and Keats suddenly working together, after years of simply being both friends of Shelly but having no other link to each other, to take her ashes and spread them at her request. In the midst of that basic event, the full backstory of Gordon and Shelly's lives are told, switching between childhood to not long before the current events of her death. Despite the changing and intermingling timelines, Roth has a steady flow and ties everything together in a way that is not jarring or hard to follow.

The way Roth has tied these three characters together is beautifully done. Knowing nothing of the poets, it is still readable as modern day teenagers, rapt with issues and harsh childhoods. Their personalities are strikingly different, and while hints of the poets can be found in each, he has clearly molded them into something his own as well. Though Roth had a solid background to build on, he still writes it in a way that is completely understandable in the modern times.

There is a certain rambling quality to this book, with long sentences and a narrative style that isn't often found in current YA. While I really enjoyed reading it both for mood and the links to the past, I can see why it would be hard for some people to read. Regardless, I found Roth's writing to be very elegant, and while it doesn't hold the typical YA type voice, there is a clear element of it in Keats' narration even as he tells about the lives of the other two.

This is not a plot progressed book, but rather introspective and primarily a narration of what led to the events of Shelly's death, and what happens after as Keats and Gordon steal her ashes and try to fulfill her last wish. Content wise, this one is certainly mature and upper YA, but it isn't without cause or reason that Roth has included even the most twisted of elements. The motivations and drives of Shelly and especially Gordon are clearly presented and strongly maintained, and there is, overall, great character development and depth. Pleasantly different from much of its genre and unique in premise and twisting of the poets, So Shelly blends the Romantic era with the present in a great way.

Details:
Source: ARC received from author in exchange for honest review
Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 336 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 8, 2011

Author Interview + Contest: Sara Bennett-Wealer

Here today to answer some questions over her upcoming release Rival is Sara Bennett-Wealer. Rival is about two girls who are not only enemies, but now rivals in the same singing competition. Stick around after the interview for your chance to win a Rival themed necklace!


What hobby/activity was your biggest one as a teen, and did you have any major rivalries with it?

It’s probably no surprise that my biggest activity was music. I loved to sing and perform, so I was in the show choir, the honors choir, the school musicals and school plays. Any time you have people who are striving to be their best while competing for a limited number of opportunities, you’re going to have heightened emotions. Add the complications of friendships and falling-outs—your typical high school drama—and the atmosphere is ripe for rivalry. It seemed like there were a few people who had rivalries going on at one time or another, and I experienced my fair share of that. But nothing as intense as what my characters in RIVAL go through!

If Rival was made into a movie, what would it's tagline be?

Best friends, bitter enemies, and one life-changing competition

Describe Brooke and Kathryn in 5 words each.

Brooke: Imposing, Driven, Misunderstood, Lonely, Noble Kathryn: Quiet, Driven, Misunderstood, Blessed, Hopeful
If you could pair Brooke and Kathryn with any character from any book, what would be your pick for each?

I think Kathryn would really hit it off with Blake from LK Madigan’s “Flash Burnout” Not sure if it would be a romantic thing, but I think they’d make great friends at the very least.

As for Booke, I think she’d be great with Tiny Cooper from “Will Grayson, Will Grayson.” I *know* that wouldn’t be romantic, since Tiny’s not into girls. But he is into musicals and performing, plus he’s bigger than life, and Brooke is, too—in her way.

What kind of plant would you describe yourself as?

I’m think I’m like one of those weeds that has a pretty flower. A gardener might mistake me for a legit plant, or even let me stick around because I look good. Those who try to pull me will find that I have really strong, really long roots. I’m basically harmless—just trying to make the world a little nicer to look at, but I can be stubborn. I don’t give up without a fight.


Thank you for those awesome answers, Sara! Especially the last one... very creative answer.

Now for your chance to win a Rival inspired necklace (silver star pendant to the right), fill out THIS form.

Contest is US only and ends February 8.